Southwest APC leaders  back ban on open grazing, kick against secession

All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in the South West  have thrown their weight behind the resolutions of southern governors who met recently in Asaba, Delta State on restructuring, state police and the ban on open grazing.

Rising from their meeting  at Lagos House, Marina, on Sunday, they expressed their strong opposition to separatist agitations and hate speeches.

The leaders in  a communique read by former Interim National Chairman of the party, Chief Bisi Akande,  urged those promoting secession  to desist forthwith.

 They renewed their belief in the unity, stability and sustainability of Nigeria.

They also commiserated with President Muhammadu Buhari, the military authorities, families of the Chief of Army Staff and other officers who died, and indeed the entire nation over last Friday’s tragic plane crash in Kaduna.

The communique read in part: “We noted with significant concern the security situation in the country. Terrorism and violent criminality threaten many areas, adversely affecting the lives and livelihoods of too many innocent and peace-loving Nigerians.

“While mindful of the resource and other constraints facing the nation, we urge the Federal Government to continue to make the necessary expenditures and allocate sufficient resources to enable the military and security agencies to tackle the difficult security challenges confronting us.

” For Nigeria to overcome these challenges, we must do so with unity of purpose and action. The desire for peace and the chance for a prosperous and just society is universal and transcends all regional, religious or ethnic divisions.

“Sadly, many public figures have made statements that sparked division and undermine the needed unity of purpose. We urge government at all levels, security agencies, and public leaders across the country to do everything possible to prevent tension so that we sustain the necessary unity to defeat these challenges to our national security. All responsible Nigerians must speak and act in a manner that strengthens our common cause against these common threats to our collective peace, justice and development.

“We restate our abhorrence of violence as a means to achieve either political or economic power and influence. We strongly condemn violence of any form in any part of the country, regardless of ethnic or regional identity of the perpetrators of the violence or of the victims. Government must do all it can to protect potential victims and to assist those who have previously been victimised by terrorism or widespread banditry”

The meeting was attended by governors of Osun, Ogun and Lagos states